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Category: Credit Cards

  • Earn 4.4mpd with your UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard for online & mobile contactless spend

    Earn 4.4mpd with your UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard for online & mobile contactless spend

    Get up to 4.4 mpd on mobile contactless and online transactions from now and 31 Dec 2021

    If you are holding the UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard in Singapore, UOB is now offering 4.4 mpd for online or mobile contactless payments on select categories, capped at a maximum of S$4,000 spend from now until 31 Dec 2021.

    Under this promotion, you will earn up to UNI$6,000 or 12,000 additional bonus miles.

    To be eligible, you’ll need to register for the promo (see below on how) and also make sure you spend at least S$1,000 in the following categories during the three-month promotional period:

    • Dining
    • Food Delivery
    • Groceries
    • Pharmacies

    To register for the promotion, SMS in the following format to 77862:

    PM <space> Last 4 alphanumeric digits of your NRIC or Passport Number

    Example: If your NRIC is S1234567A, you will need to send “PM 567A” to 77862

    Unfortunately, this promotion is only applicable to the PRVI Miles Mastercard version, so those holding the Visa and Amex versions are out of luck.

    UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard

    Up to 4.4 mpd offer

    To earn the higher 4.4 mpd, you will need to spend within the following qualifying categories either using online and mobile contactless payment modes from now until 31 Dec 2021:

    Eligible MCCsCategory
    5411Groceries (e.g. 7-Eleven, Fairprice, Sheng Siong)
    5499Food Delivery (e.g. Deliveroo, GrabFood, foodpanda)
    5310
    5331
    5399
    5912    		Misc. Stores (e.g. Muji, Japan Home)
    Pharmacies     (e.g. Unity, GNC, Watsons)
    5811 5812 5814Caterers, Restaurants (e.g. Brotzeit, Haidilao, Pizza Express)
    Fast Food (e.g. Cedele, Delibowl, McDonalds)
    5441Candy, Nut and Confectionery Stores (e.g. Candy Empire, Godiva, MyEureka)
    5462Bakeries (e.g. Krispy Kreme, Paris Baguette)

    Plus, you will need to ensure the spend is processed by the respective merchants in Singapore Dollars and is posted as either:

    • An online transaction via a payment gateway in Singapore, or
    • A mobile contactless transaction via Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay and/or Samsung Pay

    Note that contactless transactions made by tapping the physical card will not be eligible.

    Once registered, you will need to spend a minimum of S$1,000 in these bonus categories during the whole promotion period, in order to earn 11 UNI$ (3.5 UNI$ base rate + 7.5 UNI$ bonus, total equivalent to 4.4 mpd) per S$5 spent on eligible transactions charged to your card.

    The maximum bonus you can earn during the promotion is capped at UNI$6,000 (equivalent to 12,000 miles, or S$4,000 spend). One other thing to note is that eligible transactions made by your supplementary cardholders will count towards the promotion.

    For the full terms and conditions, click here.

    SMART$ merchants

    Note that SMART$ merchants are automatically excluded from this promotion, given that UOB doesn’t issue UNI$ for transactions made with these merchants.

    These merchants include:

    • Cold Storage
    • Giant
    • Guardian
    • Jasons
    • Market Place

    You will however earn UNI$ for online transactions (e.g. home delivery) at these merchants, since the SMART$ programme only applies to in-store purchases.

    When do the bonus miles credit?

    The regular 1.4 miles per S$1 spent will post according to your statement cycle, but the bonus miles will be credited to your account by 31st March 2022. While this seems like a three-month wait after the promotion ends, usually UOB posts them much earlier than that but you should expect it to come in only after the end of the promotion period (i.e. after 31 Dec 2021).

    Final thoughts

    For once UOB is doing something right – by not capping the number of registrations for a promotion!

    Having said that, this is also a pretty generous promotion: 12,000 bonus miles is a lot, coupled with a wide range of merchant categories for online and mobile contactless spend.

    Just remember to register for the promotion, clock the minimum required S$1,000 spend in the bonus categories, and earn away!

    To register for the promotion, SMS in the following format to 77862:

    PM <space> Last 4 alphanumeric digits of your NRIC or Passport Number

    Example: If your NRIC is S1234567A, you will need to send “PM 567A” to 77862

  • Limited offer: Earn 4 mpd with the Citi PremierMiles Card

    Limited offer: Earn 4 mpd with the Citi PremierMiles Card

    For two months only, spend the minimum sum required to earn up to 4 mpd on select spend categories

    Citibank has launched brand new year end promotion for the Citi PremierMiles Card, offering up to 4 miles per dollar spent on its card for spending up to 31 Dec 2020, a big bump up from the usual 1.2 mpd the card offers.

    The offer

    From now till 31 Dec 2020, registered Citi PremierMiles cardmembers can earn either 3 or 4 mpd on eligible transactions if they fulfill a minimum spend requirement during the period.

    To get 3 mpd, cardmembers must spend at least $2,000 (called qualifying spend, more on this later) in each calendar month of November and December.

    To get 4 mpd, the minimum spend each month is a heftier $5,000.

    Note that the bonus miles (called additional Citi Miles in the illustrations above) will only be awarded on the following categories:

    • All online spending (except those that in excluded categories)
    • Dining (MCCs 5811, 5812, 5813, 5814)
    • Department / Clothing stores (MCCs 5262, 5309, 5311, 5331, 5399, 5611, 5621, 5631, 5641, 5651, 5661, 5691, 5699)
    • Computers / Electronics / Furniture (MCCs 5045, 5712, 5732)

    The bonus miles are capped at S$10,000 eligible spend. Registration is capped at the first 25,000 eligible cardholders.

    For both tiers, you must achieve the minimum spending each month, in both months, in order to receive the bonus mpds. If you fail to meet the minimum spending for either November or December, you will not qualify for the bonus.

    For instance:

    Nov spendingDec spendingBonus received
    $5,000$6,0002.8 bonus mpd (4 mpd in total)
    $2,700$6,0001.8 bonus mpd (3 mpd in total)
    $6,000$1,000None (default 1.2 mpd)

    So be careful and plan your expenses accordingly.

    Note that the minimum spend is by calendar month, not by your statement cycle. The qualifying and eligible spending will be based on the time the transaction is posted to your account.

    How to register?

    To register, send an SMS in the following format to 72484:

    PMSPEND<space>Last 4 digits of your Citi PremierMiles Card number

    e.g. PMSPEND 9999

    Note that you will have to be the first 25,000 cardmember to register.

    If your registration is successful, you will get the following SMS:

    The fine print

    This is where it gets a bit complicated and a whole lot technical.

    First, there are two terms here you need to understand: Qualifying spend and Eligible spend.

    Qualifying spend is the minimum amount you need to spend on your PremierMiles card, with some exclusions (usually those spending associated with installment plans, cash advances, annual fees and other fees).

    Qualifying spend what gets you into the 1.8/2.8 bonus mpd inner circle. You will need to fulfill this criteria first, before you enjoy the fruits of your labour, or in this case, the bonus miles for your eligible spend.

    So if you have a recurring PayAll transaction, you can charge it to your PremierMiles card for the next two months and they will count towards your qualifying spend.

    Eligible spend is what gets you the bonus miles. For the purpose of this promotion, this means spending in the following categories:

    • All online spending (except those that in excluded categories)
    • Dining (MCCs 5811, 5812, 5813, 5814)
    • Department / Clothing stores (MCCs 5262, 5309, 5311, 5331, 5399, 5611, 5621, 5631, 5641, 5651, 5661, 5691, 5699)
    • Computers / Electronics / Furniture (MCCs 5045, 5712, 5732)

    The bonus 1.8 or 2.8 miles per dollar will only be credited latest two months after the end of the promotion period (i.e. 28 Feb 2021).

    Final thoughts

    For those who have some big ticket spending to do in the next two months, this is a great way to bump up your mileage bank if you plan it right.

    Citi Miles are one of the most valuable bank loyalty currencies around, given its whooping portfolio of 12 transfer partners, including IHG Rewards Club. Apart from the usual suspects such as Singapore Airlines Krisflyer and Asia Miles, Citi Miles can also be transferred to more obscure programmes such as Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Etihad Guest and Air France KLM Flying Blue programme.

    Citi Miles also don’t expire, so that means you can always keep them in the bank (literally) and transfer them only when you need it. This means that you can tap on this offer to keep the miles for a reward no matter how far down the road it takes for travel to recover.

  • Earn 8mpd on OCBC Titanium Rewards

    Earn 8mpd on OCBC Titanium Rewards

    Get 8 mpd with your OCBC Titanium Rewards card on up to S$500 spend at six merchants between now and 30th November

    OCBC is currently running a new promotion for the upcoming 10.10 shopping festival, offering Titanium Rewards cardholders to earn 20X OCBC$ (or 8 KrisFlyer miles) for every dollar spent.

    This bonus earn rate is capped at an additional 5,000 OCBC$ (or 2,000 miles). The bonus miles only apply if you spend with six local merchants until the end of November 2020, but you’ll have to act quick since it’s capped at the first 5,000 to register.

    Register here

    Details of the offer

    First, you must register for the promotion here. You will need your credit card number as well as the registered mobile phone number.

    Once successfully registered, you will 8 miles per dollar spent at the following six merchants from now until 30 Nov 2020:

    • Amazon
    • Apple
    • Lazada
    • Qoo10
    • Shopee
    • Taobao

    The fine terms

    Note that if you hold both the blue and the pink versions of the card, you will only be entitled to a maximum of 5,000 bonus OCBC$ combined, even if you register both cards.

    Also, given that OCBC has moved to a $5 earning block since June 2020, the bonus miles awarded will be based on what you earned on the base transaction.

    For instance, if you spend $8 on Shopee, this is how many OCBC$ you will earn:

    • Base earn rate (1X): 5 OCBC$
    • Bonus earn rate (additional 9X): 45 OCBC$
    • 10.10 promotional earn rate (additional 10X): 50 OCBC$
    • Total: 100 OCBC$ (or 40 miles)

    The bonus miles will be credited by 31 Dec 2020. For the full terms and conditions, click here.

  • Citi Prestige Staycation offers

    Citi Prestige Staycation offers

    With international travel almost impossible right now, hotels and banks are coming together to put together enticing staycation deals for you to have a semblance of a vacation without your passport.

    Citi Prestige has updated its staycation offers for cardmembers, offering a complimentary second night stay at three hotels.

    Two of the hotels, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel and The Fullerton Hotel, were already on offer earlier in July, while the latest deal included St Regis.

    Details of the offers below:

    Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, S$350 net

    • Deluxe Room for 2 nights
    • Daily breakfast for up to two adults and 2 children (below 12 years old) or three adults
    • Complimentary S$100 net dining credit per room per stay
    • Early check-in at 11am and late check-out till 2pm (subject to availability)
    • Complimentary parking

    Marriott has imposed a blackout date of 25 to 31 December, so the rate will not apply during that period.

    To book this offer, you will have to call the hotel (6831 4555) or drop them an email.

    The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, S$490 net

    • Premier Courtyard Room at S$490 net for 2 nights
    • Daily breakfast for two adults
    • Complimentary S$80 net dining credit per stay

    To book this offer, click here. Note that if you want to book this rate, you will need to select a minimum of 2 nights during your search. A nightly rate of S$209 (before taxes) will give you the magic S$490 net for 2 nights.

    The St. Regis Singapore, S$600 net

    • Executive Deluxe Room for 2 nights
    • Epicurean breakfast for two adults
    • Complimentary S$50 net dining or spa experience credit per room per stay
    • Welcome bottle of Champagne
    • Signature St. Regis butler service
    • Complimentary parking

    To book this promotion, cardholders will have to email the St Regis reservations team and quote CitiPrestigeStaycation. 

    Terms and conditions

    While you can find the full terms and conditions here, these are probably the key ones you want to take note of:

    • Only the main cardholder can utilise this promotion. Supplementary cardholders are not eligible.
    • The reservation must be made using a Citi Prestige credit card.
    • The cardholder must be present and present the same credit card at check-in, and for full payment upon check out.
    • The cardholder who booked the stays must be one of the staying guests.
    • Complimentary night is non-transferable and not valid for stays at another hotel.
    • Complimentary night must be utilized during the same stay as the purchased nights.
    • Purchased and complimentary nights must be of the same room types.
    • For the avoidance of doubt, the complimentary night cannot be combined with another “stay a minimum night and get free night” type of offer run by the hotels directly.

    Cardholders are also only entitled to a maximum of one free night per hotel. In other words, you could book one room each at The Fullerton Hotel, Marriott Tang Plaza, and the St Regis, but you can’t book two nights at a single hotel and get two nights free.

  • OCBC VOYAGE offers 2.5mpd on dining in August

    OCBC VOYAGE offers 2.5mpd on dining in August

    This is a 1.2 additional mpd on top of its usual 1.3mpd

    OCBC VOYAGE cardholders finally have something to shout about: the bank will offer 2.5 miles per dollar spent on dining spending in August 2020, capped at S$1,000.

    This enhanced earn rate applies to all versions of the VOYAGE card and the enhanced rate of 2.5mpd holds same, regardless of what’s your base earn rate (either 1.3 or 1.6 mpd).

    These versions of VOYAGE card will also earn 2.5 mpd on dining in Aug 2020

    Registration for this promotion is not required and all cardholders are automatically included in the promotion.

    For any reason you are dining overseas (perhaps you are just based in UK and decides to use your Singapore credit card anyway), you will still earn only 2.5 mpd on dining spend.

    Bonus miles will be awarded by October

    According to OCBC’s terms and conditions, the bonus miles will be awarded two months after the end of the promotional period, i.e. by 31 Oct.

    Note that OCBC has moved to a S$5 block for the award of miles, so that means that you will earn a total of 25 miles per S$5 spent effectively.

    What qualifies as dining spend?

    Based on the terms and conditions, dining spend refer to any of the following MCCs:

    Dining transactions are defined as those with the following MCCs, whether online or offline:

    • MCC 5811: Caterers
    • MCC 5812: Eating Places, Restaurants
    • MCC 5814: Fast Food Restaurants

    Note that there are some eating places such as food kiosks, cafes (including coffee places such as Starbucks), restaurants in hotels that may not fall under the above categories, so you ought to be careful if you frequently spend in those places.

    Final thoughts

    Given that travel credit cards are pretty much useless while Covid-19 effectively grounds all travel, it’s good to see banks offering bonus earn rates on other categories.

    OCBC has earned killed its 1.6 mpd earn rate on dining, so this promotion is definitely very welcomed, even if it’s only for a month and with a spending cap. That said, S$1,000 is still a fair amount to get through, so be sure to charge your OCBC VOYAGE cards for your meals.

    Even after you run out the cap, there are plenty of other cards that you can still use to clock up at least 4 mpd, such as the UOB Lady’s Card, UOB Preferred Platinum and more.